Unusual hotels in Amsterdam

BUNK Amsterdam

Jump on the ferry to Noord, and you’ll experience a whole new side of Amsterdam at BUNK Amsterdam. Rife with industrial chic and cosy local hangouts, the neighbourhood also includes BUNK Amsterdam in the former Saint Rita Church. The hotel brews its own vodka, beer and jenever onsite, so feel free to swap out the holy water for something stronger. A great spot for budget travellers, it has stylish sleeping pods for one or two guests.

Neighbourhood: Noord

Read more about cheap but trendy hostels in Amsterdam.

Hotel Asile Flottant

Channel your inner sea captain with a stay at Hotel Asile Flottant, another must-see spot in Noord. Housed inside a collection of old boats, it offers loads of funky charm and all the creature comforts you need; there are no decks to swab, and the bathrooms are barnacle-free. If you have a family, consider booking the Holland VII. Built in 1911, this refurbished herring boat accommodates up to six guests and is parked next door to the De Ceuvel sustainable initiative and restaurant, with its very own Badhus Saunas.

Neighbourhood: Noord

Volkshotel

The headlines are true: Volkshotel has taken over the former headquarters of De Volkskrant, an Amsterdam-based newspaper. The building’s past has been incorporated into its modern look, and the exterior might make you feel like a journalist from the '60s. There are 177 rooms in total, and couples will love the Bathing Bikou suite, which includes a spacious Japanese soaking tub.

Neighbourhood: Oost

Hotel Not Hotel

If you chose to stay at Hotel Not Hotel, you could end up sleeping in an antique Amsterdam tram carriage. Or a room behind a secret door in the library, a Spanish villa or an abstract motel. Every room here is a work of art, each with its own story and personality, dreamed up by the young designers of the Eindhoven-based collective Collaboration-O and the duo Arno Coenen/IRIS. However, all rooms are equipped with luxurious beds, bed linen and towels, sufficient storage space for luggage and power sockets for charging all your electric devices.

Neighbourhood: De Baarsjes

BookaHouseboat.com

Spending a night or two on one of Amsterdam's floating homes is definitely an original way to experience the city and its canals. Dive into a world of floating charm with a diverse range of houseboats on offer across the city courtesy of BookaHouseboat.com. Rest your head on a peaceful stretch of the Amstel River, waking up to views of the passing boats, or book a stay in the centre of the Jordaan - some with private roof terraces included. There are locations across the city and further afield into the Amsterdam Area. From authentic barges with characteristic wheelhouses to sleek, modern arks - your perfect water home awaits.

Neighbourhood: citywide locations

Read more about unique places to stay in the Amsterdam Area.

Hotel de Windketel

What could be more romantic than an overnight stay in your own private tower? Hotel de Windketel is a free-standing tower in the middle of the Watertorenplein. In the 20th century, this house was part of the municipal waterworks. The waterworks complex included five buildings, with the tower being the smallest. Today, this historic building serves as a hotel. Hotel de Windketel consists of three floors and is equipped with all the latest conveniences. After spending a long day in Amsterdam, you can relax in the garden surrounding the hotel.

Neighbourhood: Westerpark

SWEETS Hotel

This hotel is perfect for any visitor who wants to stay somewhere that is both unique and typically Amsterdam. SWEETS transformed 28 of the city's iconic canal houses into one unique hotel experience. For a century, these bridge houses were occupied by the city's bridge keepers, responsible for controlling boat traffic throughout the Canal Ring. Of course, when the centralised bridge-control system was implemented across the city, the bridge houses were no longer in use. Until SWEETS came along, that is. The small, one-bedroom suites suit two people, and the views are breathtaking. There are boat houses in Amsterdam's busiest canals and most serene neighbourhoods, meaning there's a SWEETS hotel experience for everyone.

Neighbourhood: citywide locations

Grand Hotel Amrâth Amsterdam

The five-star Grand Hotel Amrâth Amsterdam is housed in a national monument called the Scheepvaarthuis (Shipping House). This architectural treasure is steeped in history and was essential to Amsterdam's 17th-century beginnings. The building marks the starting point of the first Dutch voyage to the East Indies in 1595. The decadent hotel is also considered the first example of the Amsterdam School style of architecture. Its quirky ornamentation (yes, those are stained glass mermaids and lobsters), complex masonry and wrought iron detailing ignited a new direction in Dutch architecture.

Neighbourhood: Centrum

The Crane by YAYS

If you love a good view, book a stay at The Crane by YAYS. Built in the 1950s and abandoned in the 1980s, it was dismantled and transported to the city of Franeker in 2010. Seven years later, it moved back to Amsterdam after being converted from a crane into a deluxe three-floor apartment overlooking the IJ. Guests can even listen to recordings made by Henk Roos, the crane’s last operator, to learn more about its history.

Neighbourhood: Oostelijk Havengebied

Hotel Arena

Located at Oosterpark, Hotel Arena has served many purposes since it was built in 1866. Originally, it was an orphanage and then a refugee shelter during WWI. When the Second World War arrived, occupying forces took over the building. Afterwards, it became a nursing home and a homeless shelter before transforming into the International Youth Center for Culture and Tourism in the 1990s. In 2002, it was again reborn as an elegant hotel, though pieces of its past remain.

Neighbourhood: Oost

Hotel De Hallen

Hotel De Hallen’s industrial-chic feel reminds visitors of the building’s original purpose: it was once a tram depot. Metal accents are found throughout this spacious, airy hotel, and you can easily imagine city workers walking through its halls. If you stay for a night, stop by Remise47, the bistro-style restaurant, to check out the old brick walls over a delicious meal.

Neighbourhood: Oud-West

The Manor Hotel

The perfect prescription for when you're looking for somewhere lovely to stay, The Manor Amsterdam was built in the late 19th century as a state-of-the-art hospital. The doctors and nurses are long gone (unless they’re guests, of course), but you’ll still find touches that speak of its past. A real looker, the majestic exterior will take your breath away, but you can escape to one of the themed rooms to recover.

Neighbourhood: Oost

Inntel Landmark Amsterdam

The Inntel Hotels Amsterdam Landmark combines industrial charm with modern luxury. Housed in a striking building inspired by Amsterdam’s shipbuilding past, its design features steel, wood, and water elements. Guests can enjoy unique amenities like riverside spa rooms with private whirlpools. Located in the up-and-coming Oostenburg district, it’s a truly memorable stay in an unconventional setting.

Neighbourhood: Oostelijk Havengebied